Japanese metalsmith to speak at Grand Valley

Metalsmith artist Mariko Kusumoto spent her early years in Japan, where her father was a Buddhist monk and her home was the temple. Both are reflected in the work of the Boston area artist who will spend three days at Grand Valley State University.

The Art and Design Department is bringing Kusumoto to the Allendale Campus for several events. She will give a free public lecture on Wednesday, January 21, at 7 p.m. in the Stuart B. and Barbara H. Padnos Student Art & Design Gallery in the Calder Fine Arts Center. She will also be conducting a two-day workshop on resins and photo transfers for Grand Valley students.

In an interview published in Metalsmith magazine, Kusumoto reflected on some influences to her work. “Metal has been familiar to me since I was a child; polishing the elaborate metal ornaments in the altars in my temple was one of my chores,” she said.  “When the gleam of the gold-colored ornaments would emerge from the darkness, I could sense the spiritual world and its eternal silence.”

Much of the artist’s work subtly reflects principles of Japanese aesthetics and includes unexpected surprises.

For more information call the Art & Design Department at (616) 331-3486.